Production of aryl alkyl ethers from methylbenzyl alcohol using bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst

ABSTRACT

The synthesis of aryl alkyl ethers from methylbenzyl alcohol and, optionally, phenol using a bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst is disclosed.

This invention relates to aryl alkyl ethers.

More specifically, this invention relates to the use of a bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst for the production of aryl alkyl ethers from methylbenzyl alcohol and, optionally, phenol.

Aryl alkyl ethers, such as α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether, have found application in the fields of heat transfer fluids, pesticides, dyestuffs, odor substances, anti oxidants, plastic additives, and general solvent usage.

Although many methods are known for the preparation of aryl alkyl ethers, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,996, their synthesis from methylbenzyl alcohol, using acid or base catalysis, has not been very successful. Traditional methods of synthesis involving acid or base catalysis fail due to facile dehydration of the methylbenzyl alcohol used as a starting material. The result is little or no aryl alkyl ether and a high styrene yield.

The catalyst of this invention (see Eq. No. 1), while giving some styrene, affords primarily aryl alkyl ether products. ##STR1##

Traditional methods of synthesis involving acid or base catalysis (Eq. No. 2) result in little aryl alkyl ether and a high styrene yield. ##STR2##

According to this invention, there is provided an improved process for the catalytic preparation of bis-methylbenzyl ether from methylbenzyl alcohol wherein the improvement comprises using bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) as the catalyst.

Also, according to the present invention, there is provided an improved process for the catalytic preparation of α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether and bis-methylbenzyl ether from phenol and methylbenzyl alcohol wherein the improvement comprises using bis-(dithiobenzyl)-nickel(II) as the catalyst.

Besides the advantage of forming high ether yields, there are several more subtle advantages offered by the improved process of this invention. The advantages include decreased corrosion, more simplified work-ups, and the elimination of alkali metal salt disposal problems which would be associated with a tradtional Williamson synthesis or neutralization of an acid catalyst. Moreover, in the process of this invention, the product ethers are easily separated from the catalyst by distillation and, the catalyst heal can be recycled.

In the practice of this invention, the reaction operative conditions can be selected to be within wide ranges. The following reaction conditions will be within the ranges specified; reaction temperature 75° to 150° C., residence time 1 to 10 hours, reactor pressure 200 to 2280 mm Hg. Preferred reaction condition are 130°-140° F. reaction temperature, 2 to 4 hours residence time and a reactor pressure of 700 to 800 mm Hg.

The reactants employed in the process of this invention will be employed in an amount within the following weight percent ranges; methylbenzyl alcohol 15 to 20, phenol 0 to 30, solvent 25 to 85 and bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) 0.01 to 0.5. If phenol is employed, it will preferably be employed in an amount within the range of from about 10 to about 30 weight percent and the solvent weight percent reduced accordingly.

As the solvent, any suitable aromatic or hydrocarbon solvent can be employed and should be selected based on boiling point. Suitable solvents include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, heptane, decane, and the like, and their mixtures. The preferred solvent is ethylbenzene.

The following examples serve to further demonstrate the invention.

EXAMPLE I (CONTROL)

Phenol (21.21 grams; 0.25 mole) and methylbenzyl alcohol (30.5 grams; 0.25 mole) in 100.00 grams of ethylbenzene were refluxed at a temperature of from about 135° to 140° C. for about four hours with 0.500 grams (0.33 weight percent) concentrated sulfuric acid. Water was removed overhead as a azeotrope and was collected in a Dean-Stark trap. Methylbenzyl alcohol conversion was quantitative but only 8% selectivity to α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether was obtained. The remaining product was styrene (74.8% selectivity) and styrene polymer.

EXAMPLE II

This example demonstrates the use of bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst in the preparation of aryl alkyl ethers according to this invention.

Phenol (21.21 grams; 0.25 mole) and methylbenzyl alcohol (30.5 grams; 0.25 mole) in 100.00 grams of ethylbenzene were refluxed at a temperature of from about 135° to 140° C. for about four hours with 0.76 gram; bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II). Water was removed overhead as an azeotrope and was collected in a Dean-Stark trap. Methylbenzyl alcohol conversion was 90.4%. Selectivity to α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether, bis-methylbenzyl ether and styrene was 70.2%, 4.4% and 25.1% respectively.

EXAMPLE III

This example demonstrates the use of bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst in the preparation of aryl alkyl ethers according to this invention.

Phenol (21.21 grams; 0.25 mole) and methylbenzyl alcohol (30.5 grams; 0.25 mole) in 100.00 grams of ethylbenzene were refluxed at a temperature of from about 135° to 140° C. for about four hours with 0.76 gram bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II). Water was removed overhead as an azeotrope and was collected in a Dean-Stark trap. Methylbenzyl alcohol conversion was 94.6%. Selectivity to α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether bis-methylbenzyl ether and styrene was 87.0% and 3.1% and 9.9% respectively. The α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether selectivity was improved by slow addition of methylbenzyl alcohol to the solution of phenol, ethylbenzene and catalyst held at reflux.

EXAMPLE IV

This example demonstrates the use of bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst in the preparation of aryl alkyl ethers according to this invention. No phenol is employed.

Methylbenzyl alcohol (61.00 grams; 0.50 mole) in 100.0 grams of ethylbenzene is refluxed at a temperature of from about 135° to about 140° C. for about four hours with 0.76 gram bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II). Water is removed overhead as an azeotrope and is collected in a Dean-Stark trap. Methylbenzyl alcohol conversion is 92.5%. Selectivity to bis-methylbenzyl ether and styrene is 71.5% and 28.5% respectively.

The following Table illustrates the reactions conditions, % conversion and % selectivity of the preceeding four examples:

                  TABLE                                                            ______________________________________                                                  1                                                                     Example No.                                                                             (Control) 2         3       4                                         ______________________________________                                         Reaction                                                                       Conditions                                                                     Tempera- 135       135       135     135                                       ture (°C.)                                                              Reflux                                                                         Time (hrs)                                                                              4         4         4       4                                         Solvent  EB        EB        EB      EB                                        Catalyst H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 /.33                                                                    DTBN/.5   DTBN/.5 DTBN/.5                                   (Wt. %)                                                                        % Con-   100       90.4      94.6    92.5                                      version                                                                        (on MBA)                                                                       % Selectivity                                                                  (on MBA)                                                                       PMBE     8         70.2      87.0    --                                        DMBE     --        4.4       3.1     71.5                                      Styrene  74.8      25.1      9.9     28.5                                      ______________________________________                                          Notes:                                                                         Catalyst: DTBN =                                                               Solvents: EB = ethylbenzene                                                    Benz = benzene                                                                 Products: Gas chromotography was used to determine product                     PMBE = phenylmethylbenzyl ether (b.p. 86-87° C./0.3 mm Hg isolated      by distillation)                                                               DMBE = bis  methylbenzyl ether (b.p. 93° C./0.7 mm Hg isolated by       distillation)                                                            

The bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst used in the above examples was prepared as follows.

Benzoin (50.00 grams), nickel(II) chloride (25.00 grams, hydrated), and phosphorus pentasulfide (75.00 grams) in 350 ml. of dry dioxane were refluxed under dry nitrogen for 2 hours at 100° C. The product mixture was cooled and the crude bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) was isolated by filtration. Soxhlet extraction with dry methylene chlorine followed by evaporation gave 17-29 grams of pure bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II).

It will be evident from the foregoing that various modifications can be made to this invention. Such, however, are considered within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved process for the catalytic preparation of bis alpha-methylbenzyl ether from alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst wherein the improvement comprises contacting said alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol with a bis alpha-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst.
 2. The process of claim 1 in which said alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol is present in an amount within the range of from about 15 to about 20 weight percent.
 3. The process of claim 1 in which said solvent is selected from the group consisting of at least one of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, heptane and decane.
 4. The process of claim 1 in which said solvent is present in an amount within the range of from about 25 to about 85 weight percent.
 5. The process of claim 1 in which said bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst is present in an amount within the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent.
 6. An improved process for the catalytic preparation of bis alpha-methylbenzyl ether and α-phenylmethylbenzyl ether from alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol and phenol wherein the improvement comprises contacting said alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol and said phenol with a bis alpha-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst.
 7. The process of claim 6 in which said phenol is present in an amount within the range of from about 10 to about 30 weight percent.
 8. The process of claim 6 in which said alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol is present in an amount within the range of from about 15 to about 20 weight percent.
 9. The process of claim 6 in which said solvent is selected from the group consisting of at least one of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, heptane and decane.
 10. The process of claim 6 in which said solvent is present in an amount within the range of from about 25 to about 75 weight percent.
 11. The process of claim 6 in which said bis-(dithiobenzyl)nickel(II) catalyst is present in an amount within the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent. 